Cushioning device



Patented i413, 1923.

HAROLD L. DREW, OF TRINIDAD, COLORADO.`

CUSHIONING- -DEVICE Application led .Tune 2,

vto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to a cushioning device for containers of fragile articles, such as bottles, and is particularly adapted to cellular cases or containers, and to this end comprises a yspring meal strip having outwardly bowed metal portions and hooked or bent ends engaging the top and bottom edges of the container walls or partitions, so that the clip-like cushioning elements may be readily applied to and removed from the container without the use of auxiliary fastening devices, as will be more particularly pointed out in the following description, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a cellular container with the invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the double cushioning element.

Fig. 3 is a similar view ofa single cushioning element.

Referring to the drawings, l indicates the body of a box, cabinet or similar container divided into cellular compartments by means of partitions 2, which may be disposed in any desired number or relation, each compartment is adapted to receive a single article, such for example as a bottle. In order to hold the contained articles firmly in position, each within its own compartment, and to prevent the same being damaged by shocks or jars, preferably each wall of each compartment is provided with the cushioning device of the instant invention. When the cushioning device is applied to a crosspartition or wall of the container said cushioning device comprises a body portion 3 which is bent upon itself so that the adj acentv j legs straddle the wall or partition, the upper 1922. Serial No 565,305.

bend 5 engaging the top of the partition and each leg below the bend 5 having a reentrant bend 7 to frictionally engage the sides of the partition. The intermediate portion of each leg is provided with an outwardly bowed section- 4 which constitutes a laterally expanding spring to engage the article in the adjacent cell or compartment. The lower end of the cushioning velement is bent or hooked as at 6 to engage the lower edge of the wall or partition, to prevent the foam-ffice.

accidental displacement of the device, when applied, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. When the deviceis to be applied to an end wall or partition of the container, as shown at the left of Fig. 1, obviously one leg of the cushioning device will have vno particular utility and is therefore omitted. In this form of the invention the cushioning device is formed with a single leg 3f having an outwardly y,bowed middle section 4', a hooked or looped upper end 5 .to straddlev the top edge of the wall or partition and a hooked lower end 6 to engage the lower end of the wall or partition, the upper end of l the spring cushion being providedwith a reentrant bend 7 which serves to grip the partition and hold theclip-like cushioning element in position.

Preferably, the cushioning device is formed from strips of spring metal, which may be readily shaped to the desired contour and which are sufficiently resilient to firmly grip the walls ory partitions of the container and at the same timeyield in the bowed portions between the ends to exercise a decided cushioning effect on the articles within the container and prevent damage to the latter,V but nevertheless hold said articles firmly in position.

What I claim is:

1. A cushioning device for containers, comprising a resilient metal str iphaving an outwardly bowed middle portion and hooked ends engaging the top and bottom edges of the container walls.

2. A cushioning device for containers,

end to engage the lower edge ofthe wall or partition.

3. A cushioning device for containers, comprising a resilient metal strip bent upon itself tostraddle a wall or partition of the container having inwardly bowed sections near its upper end to'grip the wall or parto engage the lower end of the wall or parl0 tition.

ln testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HAROLD" L. DREW. 

